Astragalus holmgreniorum, Holmgren’s Milk-vetch, is an endangered endemic perennial herb of the Northern Mojave Desert near St. George, UT. Once the leguminous pods detach from the mother plant they begin to dry and dehice. At this stage the morphological characteristcs exhibit aerodynamic qualities. This study was performed to determine if wind dispersal is possible and to what distance pods potentially move.
Attached fleshy pods. Photo credit Susan Meyer